• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.490-496
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• 2006

This study aimed to evaluate in vitro effects of Rheum undulatum L. root on the development of dental caries, especially its effects on viability, dental plaque formation, and glycolytic acid production of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. Methanol extract of Rheum undulatum L. root and its fractions were prepared and tested. Among the test extract and fractions, dichloromethane fraction (DF) showed the most active antibacterial activity (inhibition zone: 13-17 mm) against S. mutans and S. sobrinus in a disc diffusion method. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of DF against these bacteria ranged from 0.25 to 0.5 mg/mL. Furthermore, DF significantly inhibited the caries-inducing factors of these bacteria. At sub-MIC levels, DF inhibited in vitro dental plaque formation by S. mutans and S. sobrinus ($IC_{50}$= 0.079 and 0.142 mg/mL, respectively), which was caused, in part, by the inhibitory effect on the activity of glucosyltransferases. A significant reduction of glycolytic acid production was found at the concentration as low as 0.032 mg/mL for S. mutans and 0.063 mg/mL for S. sobrinus. The possible bioactive compounds that are inducing in vitro anti-cariogenic activity of DF are unknown. Based on the preliminary phytochemical analysis, the activity of DF may be related to the presence of anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, coumarines, sterols/terpenes, and phenolics. These results indicate that DF is probably useful for the control of dental plaque formation and subsequent dental caries development.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.44-52
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• 2023

Objectives: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent human diseases worldwide. The disease initiates with bacterial adherence to the tooth surface followed by the formation of dental plaques. Mutans streptococci and Candida albicans are principal oral microorganisms involved in the initiation and development of dental caries. Phytochemicals have been shown to possess promising antimicrobial properties against a wide range of microorganisms and can be used for the prevention and treatment of dental caries. Herein, we reviewed literature on plants that are traditionally used for their antimicrobial properties or possess promising anticariogenic activity. We selected aerial parts of Scrophularia striata (S. striata) and galls of Quercus infectoria (Q. infectoria) and investigated their antimicrobial activity against cariogenic microorganisms. Methods: Water soluble fractions were obtained from hydroalcoholic extracts of S. striata and Q. infectoria and their antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Streptococcus sobrinus (S. sobrinus), and Candida albicans (C. albicans) was evaluated separately and in combination. The extracts were then used for preparing an herbal mouthwash whose stability and tannic acid content were evaluated over 60 days. Results: Q. infectoria gall extract possesses efficient antimicrobial activity that was synergistically enhanced in the presence of S. striata extract. Mouthwash prepared using these extracts showed desirable organoleptic characteristics, antimicrobial activity, and stability. Conclusion: Extracts of S. striata and Q. infectoria galls can be used together for preparing dental products with effective anticariogenic properties. Our study highlights the importance of extensive pharmacological investigations when using herbal products alone or in combination with other chemical substances.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of the experiment was to evaluating the diagnostic ability of dental caries detection using digital subtraction in the artificial caries activity model. Materials and Methods: Digital radiographies of five teeth with 8 proximal surfaces were obtained by CCD sensor (Kodak RVG 6100 using a size #2). The digital radiographic images and subtraction images from artificial proximal caries were examined and interpreted. In this study, we proposed novel caries detection method which could diagnose the dental proximal caries from single digital radiographic image. Results: In artificial caries activity model, the range of lesional depth was $572-1,374{\mu}m$ and the range of lesional area was $36.95-138.52mm^2$. The lesional depth and the area were significantly increased with demineralization time (p<0.001). Furthermore, the proximal caries detection using digital subtraction radiography showed high detection rate compared to the proximal caries examination using simple digital radiograph. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the digital subtraction radiography from single radiographic image of artificial caries was highly efficient in the detection of dental caries compared to the data from simple digital radiograph.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.247-264
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• 1997

501 preschool children from 4 to 6 years were examined for their salivary reductase activity and caries experience by Resazurin Disc Test and dental examination respectively. We asked the parents about their children's oral hygiene habits, between-meal eating habits, and physical exercise habits by the questionnaire. Toothbrushing frequency had negative relation to salivary reductase activity and caries experience. Caries experience was low when parents did toothbrushing for children, when teeth were brushed at bedtime, and when fluoride toothpastes were used. Salivary reductase activity and caries experience were high in bread & cookies group, chocolates & candies group, milk & soft drink group, and fruits & vegetables group in order. Caries experience was high in case of irregular between-meal eating. Sweet food eating frequency had positive relation to caries experience. Caries activity was low in case of eating homemade non-sweet between-meals. Salivary reductase activity and caries experience were low when gum-chewing frequency was high. Salivary reductase activity and caries experience were high when the amount of physical exercise was low.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2002

To develop the natural antibacterial agents which don't have any toxicity against man, collected several species of medicinal plants were tested for their antibacterial activity from dental caries bacteria Streptococcus sanguis. The result of using paper disc method and the result of viable cell counting method, Phellodendri Cortex was selected as antibacterial agent. The high antibacterial activity was acquired at high extraction temperature and long extraction temperature. The antibacterial of Phellodendri Cortex was not effected by the concentration of ethanol.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 1991

Dental caries has been reported to be infectious disease by Streptococcus mutans(S. mutans). The ability of S. mutans to produce dental plaque has been shown to be related to glucan synthesis from sucrose by glucosyltransferase (GTase). Glucan is known to play an important role in the initiation of smooth surface caries. For preventing dental caries by traditional medicines, two hundred kinds of natural products were assayed for inhibiting activity against S. mutans and GTase. During the assay course, we chose some active plants against S. mutans and GTase and then applied these plant extracts to toothpaste.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.691-703
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• 1998

Saliva is obviously potential medium to protect the dental caries by not only physical clearing effect, but aggregating action of protein with bacteria. Nevertheless, we still do not understand how the dental caries occur and what brings the individual difference in caries prevalence. In the regards of dental caries prevalence, we hypothesized that the composition of salivary protein might be different from caries susceptible group to caries resistant group. The purposes of this experiment were focused on the molecular analysis of salivary proteins from the subjects who were involved in multiple caries. Electrophoretic analysis was done on the whole saliva collected from the children with and without multiple caries. We found 86.2% of subjects with multiple caries has approximately 120 KDa protein band while 30.4% in the healthy subjects. And the concentration of the total protein on the subjects with multiple caries is significantly higher than that of the healthy group. However, it turned out that the difference of the salivary composition does not affect the bacterial adhesion to hydroxyapatite bead. With regards of enzymes in saliva, the activity of ${\alpha}-amylase$ and lactate dehydrogenase does not have any significant difference between both groups. However, the concentrations of $Na^+\;and\;Cl^-$ in saliva from multiple caries group is higher than that of the control group. Taken all together, it may be concluded that 120 KDa protein in saliva may be associated with the process of dental caries, also the high concentration of protein and $Na^+,\;Cl^-$ in saliva may be linked to dental caries development as a cofactors.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Dental Administration
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the competency of the Easyperio test, a genetic test method based on real time PCR for the detection of bacteria that cause dental caries and periodontal disease. To verify the validity of this text, various dental health evaluations were administered to 33 boys between the ages of 12 to 14, as this age group commonly experiences dental caries. These evaluations included a dental caries experience survey, a first molar health evaluation, the Dentocult Streptococcus mutans (SM) strip mutans, the Dentocult Lactobacillus spp (LB) test, and the Easyperio test. The correlation coefficients between the level of the Dentocult SM strip mutans and the dental caries experience were DT (R=0.570, p=0.001), DMFT (R=0.376, p=0.031), and first molar health (R=-0.395, p=0.023). The correlation coefficients between the amount of SM in the Easyperio test and dental caries experience were DT (R=0.528, p=0.002), DMFT (R=0.369, p=0.035), and first molar health (R=-0.426, p=0.013). The correlation coefficients between the level of the dentocult SM strip mutans and the SM amounts of the Easyperio test were S.mi (R=0.564 p=0.001) and S.mu (R=0.621, p=0.002). The correlation coefficients between the level of the Dentocult LB test and the SM amount of Easyperio test was S.mi (R=0.495, p=0.003). In conclusion, Easyperio test may be an easy and effective method for the differentiation and diagnosis of dental caries through quantitative and qualitative analysis of oral bacteria.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.311-317
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of xylitol and sorbitol mouth rinse on the salivary caries activity levels. Methods: The study subjects were 38 female college students in Gyeongju, Korea. The subjects visited the institution once a week for 4 weeks and the saliva samples were measured for the amount of salivary caries activity levels. The saliva was collected 5 times and incubated in Mitis Salivarius Agar for 48 hours(VS-1203P3L, Vision, Korea) and measured. Results: The Streptococcus mutans CFU decreased by statistically significant amounts as compared to before the experiment within the xylitol group and the sorbitol group(p<0.01). After three weeks of mouth rinse application, Streptococcus mutans CFU of the xylitol group and the sorbitol group showed statistically significant differences(p<0.05). The salivary flow rates within the xylitol group and sorbitol group increased by statistically significant amounts(p<0.01) than before the test. The change in the salivary buffering capacity decreased by a statistically significant amount as compared to before experiment within the xylitol group(p<0.01). Conclusions: The salivary caries activity levels decreased after using xylitol and sorbitol mouth rinse in CFU and the flow rate. The buffering activity levels increased within the xylitol group. Further follow-up studies would be necessary to identify the various effects of xylitol.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.610-627
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to compare the caries activity and cariogenic factors in children in different residence areas. The subjects of the study were 268 kindergarten children who were selected from the downtown area(D), apartment area(A), suburban area(S), and rural area(R) in and around the city of Iksan, Korea. Caries activity was measured as past caries experience (dft index and dfs index) and salivary reductase activity (Resazurin Disc Test scores). Cariogenic factors were investigated by a questionnaire. The results were as follows: Reductase activity S > R > D > A dt index R, S > D, A ft index D - the highest dft index A - the lowest ds index R - the highest fs index D - the highest Toothbrushing frequency A - the highest, R - the lowest Toothbrushing before bed D, A > S, R Toothbrushing by parents S, R > A, D Sweets intake freqeuncy A - the highest, S - the lowest Distance to dental office D < A < S < R Dental treatment experience D - the highest, A - the lowest Flouride application rate D > S > R > A Sealant application rate D > A, S > R Birth order A, S > R, D Age D > S > R, A